Reindeer Family Tsaatan Ethnic Group

Not far from Khuvsgul Lake, the Tsaatan people, named from the Mongolian word for reindeer herders live in the taiga. Their entire existence is based around the reindeer, which provide milk, fur for clothes, transport and, occasionally and meat. The Ttsaatan are part of a Tuvan ethnic group, which inhabits the Tuvan Republic of Russia. They are truly nomadic, often moving their small encampments, called ail, every two or three weeks-looking for special types of grass and moss loved by the reindeer. The Tsaatan do not use Mongolian GER, but prefer a hut made by reindeer skin.